Bay Area lakes’ biggest fish in history — 100-pound sturgeon

In a two-hour fight, Gary Howard caught and released this 6-foot sturgeon at Del Valle

A 6-foot sturgeon estimated at more than 100 pounds — the biggest fish ever caught in history at a Bay Area lake — was landed and released after a two-hour battle Tuesday at Del Valle Reservoir near Livermore.

The lucky fisherman was Gary Howard of Livermore who told field scout Tim Goode of NorCal Fishing News.com that he had hooked and lost what was likely the same fish last September. Howard said he was fishing south of Taratula Cove with anchovies for bait. The fish was verified by the East Bay Regional Park District.

To repeat, the fish was released — it is still out there as you read this right now, to fight again another day.

The giant sturgeon may explain the mystery of the occasional disappearing fishing rods at Del Valle. I have received reports from anglers fishing from the shoreline at Del Valle, where they turn away to get a snack, and when then turn back, their fishing rod is gone. It’s possible this giant sturgeon is responsible for nibbling baits and then pulling unattended rods into the lake.